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1600 BCE
Cyclops Analysis
Cyclops represents more than just physical power. He shows a kind of powerful force unaware of morality or wisdom. -
1600 BCE
Bag of Winds Analysis
Aeolus’s bag shows how temptation and mistrust can be consequential. Because they couldn’t resist their curiosity and made their whole journey a waste of time. -
1600 BCE
Cyclops Summary
Cyclopes are giant one eyed beings often portrayed as big and powerful. The most famous of them is Polyphemus and Odysseus encounters him on his journey home from the Trojan War. Polyphemus lives in a cave on an island. Odysseus and his crew end up in Polyphemus’s cave and the cyclops traps them and eats some of them. Odysseus
escapes by intoxicating Polyphemus with wine then stabbing him with a sharp wooden stake and finally escaped with his crew by hiding under the bellies of sheep. -
1600 BCE
Bag of Wind Summary
Odysseus faced Aeolus on his trip home. Aeolus gives him a bag that had all the winds with the west wind to blow Odysseus's ship towards Ithaca. But as they got close to Ithaca, Odysseus's crew became curious and suspected that the bag contained treasure. They opened it while he was sleep and the released winds created a storm that drives them further from home, restarting all the progress they had made. -
1600 BCE
Circe Summary
Circe is powerful witch that is both a threat and an ally. When Odysseus and his crew end up on her island she turns his men into pigs using her magic. Odysseus uses a herb to resist her spell and forces her to turn his men back normal. -
1600 BCE
Circe Analysis
Circe is similar to a siren. She lures men in and takes advantage of them. Initially a threat, when Odysseus shows his power she becomes an aid to him and his crew. -
1200 BCE
Helios Cattle Summary
When Odysseus and his crew lands on Helios’s (the sun of god) island he warns his crew not the eat the cattle. They do so anyway while Odysseus is sleep and Helios becomes enraged. He made Zeus send a lightning bolt down on the ship and his crew. -
1200 BCE
Helios Cattle Analysis
This episode also symbolizes temptation. The crew’s disobedience lead to their deaths and lost of the ship. -
1194 BCE
Trojan War Summary
The trojan war is one of the most famous mythological tales from greek mythology. It took place during the 11th to the 12th century BC. It started when Paris kidnapped Helen the queen of Sparta who was married to King Menelaus. This started a decade long war between the Greeks and the Trojans, as Menelaus recruited other Greek figures to help return Helen back home. -
1194 BCE
Trojan War Analysis
The Trojan War represents violence and revenge, showing that human conflict can have many different aspects and consequences. The cleverness of the Greeks with the Trojan horse shows how camaraderie can be beneficial. -
1178 BCE
The Suitors/Home Summary
The suitors are a group of men competing for Penelope’s hand while they believe Odysseus is dead. They invaded his palace, took his wealth, and disrespected his family. When Odysseus’s return, disguised as a beggar, him and his son Telemachus plan and go through revenge. Killing the suitors and reclaiming his household. -
1178 BCE
Suitors/Home Analysis
The suitors represent greed and disrespect. Their deaths refer to the epics themes of justice and the restoration of order. -
750 BCE
Siren Summary
The Sirens are creatures known for their enchanting voices that lure sailors to their death. When Odysseus encounters them, Odysseus has his crew plug their ears with beeswax while he is tied to the ship. The ship successfully passes the Sirens. -
750 BCE
Siren Analysis
The sirens represent temptation. Heroes with a lack of self control fall to their allure. But because of Odysseus cleverness and self control he was able to pass by them successfully. -
700 BCE
Scylla and Charybdis
Scylla and Charybdis symbolize life or death situations. Odysseus sacrifices his six men for the greater good rather then everyone including him on his ship. -
700 BCE
Scylla and Charybdis Summary
Odysseus meets Scylla which is a a six headed monster and Charybdis a deadly whirlpool. He follows Circe’s advice and he steers closer to Scylla, sacrificing six men to prevent losing the ship to Charybdis. -
500 BCE
Lotus Eaters Summary
The Lotus Eaters are Homer’s epic about Odysseus’s trip home from the Trojan War. Odysseus and his crew land on an island with Lotus Eaters, Which are peaceful people who live off of the lotus plant. This plant is like a drug and when Odysseus's men eat it they forget wanting to go home and stay on the island. -
500 BCE
Lotus Eaters Analysis
The episode is a lesson about the dangers of losing sight of a goal or responsibility. It conveys the importance of resilience and focus.